Steele County, MN Environment & Hazard Risk

• Strong windRelatively Moderate$2.4M/yr expected annual loss, about 4.1 events a year
• HailRelatively Moderate$1.4M/yr expected annual loss, about 5.1 events a year
• TornadoRelatively Moderate$4.8M/yr expected annual loss, about once every 3 years
• DroughtRelatively Moderate$696K/yr expected annual loss, about 14 events a year
• Cold waveRelatively Low$2.1M/yr expected annual loss, about 10 events a year
• Winter weatherRelatively Low$95.7K/yr expected annual loss, about 20 events a year
• LandslideVery Low$636/yr expected annual loss, about once every 19 years
• Heat waveVery Low$188K/yr expected annual loss, about 4.2 events a year
• LightningVery Low$128K/yr expected annual loss, about 38 events a year
• Ice stormVery Low$24.8K/yr expected annual loss, about once every 2 years
• WildfireVery Low$6,097/yr expected annual loss, about once every 14,166 years
• EarthquakeVery Low$17.2K/yr expected annual loss, about once every 2,941 years

Bars show the national percentile score (0 to 100) for each hazard. Dollar figures are expected annual losses to buildings, people and crops. Not rated here: avalanche, coastal flooding, hurricane, riverine flooding, tsunami, volcanic activity.

Check the flood zone for an address

Homes with flood insurance

66 of 17,759 (0.4%)

Homes in high-risk flood zones

168

Insured in high-risk zones

47 (28%)

Flood claims since 1978

90

Claims paid since 1978

$2M

• Winter Storm70
• Hail67
• Thunderstorm Wind64
• Blizzard22
• Flash Flood21
• High Wind16
• Tornado16
• Heavy Snow16
• Winter Weather14
• Extreme Cold/Wind Chill14

• Flood09/23/2010

  Ellendale, Steele County

  $28.4M damage

  What happened

  Numerous roads were closed due to excessive rainfall that fell on September 22nd and 23th. The major areal flooding didn't recede until late Saturday when most of the small streams and creeks had crested and only mainstem rivers remained flooded. Residents in Owatonna, Minnesota, were fighting to save their homes along the flooded Maple Creek. 70 homes were evacuated in Owatonna due to the rising flood waters. Friday morning was the first time that I-35 was closed due to flood waters south of Owatonna. It re-opened during the afternoon as waters started to recede.

• Flood09/15/2004

  Steele

  $13.2M damage

  What happened

  Five to 13 inches of rain fell across South Central Minnesota between 5 PM on the 14th and 5 AM on the 15th. This amount of rainfall caused widespread major flooding in Freeborn, Steele, Faribault, and Martin counties. Over $6 million dollars in property damage and nearly $22 million dollars in crop damage were attributed to high water in these counties. Areas of minor flooding were also reported in southern Waseca and Goodhue counties.In Freeborn County $2.1 million in property damage was reported. FEMA reported 1 home was destroyed by flood waters, major flood damage to 13 homes, minor damage to 84 homes, and 292 homes affected by flood waters across the county. The hardest hit areas were Albert Lea, Hollandale, Riceland Township, and Shell Rock Township where numerous county roads, fields, waterways, and low lying areas were underwater for up to 4 days. Road crews had to repair several road washouts after flood waters subsided. Significant flooding was reported on the Shell Rock River and Turtle Creek in addition to Fountain Lake and Albert Lea Lake. An earthen dam had to be built around the village of Hollandale to save the community from Turtle Creek's flood waters. Two...

• Thunderstorm Wind70 kt wind05/19/1996

  Owatonna, Steele County

  $5M damage

  What happened

  Sheds and barn blown down. 2 farms completely destroyed near Hope and Ellendale. Estimated wind speed. Damage estimate for entire county.

• Flash Flood10/01/2007

  Owatonna, Steele County

  $3M damage

  What happened

  Three to five inches of rain fell over Owatonna, resulting in flooding of roads, homes and businesses. A city storm sewer also backed up, causing basements to flood in about 40 homes. This event began September 30, 2007 at 2200 CST (see September 2007 Storm Data).

• Flash Flood08/19/2007

  Owatonna, Steele County

  $2.5M damage

  What happened

  A Presidential Disaster Declaration was signed for Steele County in the wake of major flooding and damage. Large areas of Owatonna were reported under two to three feet of water. Water completely covered a few roads, and was above car doors in some areas. Maple Creek at Dartt's Park was reported three times as wide as normal, and spread out into the parking lot. Some basement walls were reported to have collapsed. Two hotels in Owatonna were evacuated. The Steele County emergency manager reported 274 homes and 8 businesses were damaged. Seven homes were considered destroyed. The cooperative observer in Owatonna measured 6.47 inches as of 0700 CST August 19. Some information provided by the Owatonna People's Press newspaper.

• Flood06/18/2014

  Owatonna Arpt, Steele County

  $2.4M damage

  What happened

  Flood waters from the Straight River impacted businesses in Owatonna.

• OwatonnaServes 26,430 · Groundwater · Local governmentNo health violations
• Blooming PrairieServes 1,987 · Groundwater · Local governmentNo health violations
• MedfordServes 1,200 · Groundwater · Local governmentNo health violations+1 monitoring or reporting
• EllendaleServes 636 · Groundwater · Local governmentNo health violations
• Lazy U CommunityServes 426 · Groundwater · PrivateNo health violations
• Thompson OaksServes 51 · Groundwater · Private8 health violations+3 monitoring or reporting
• Hope Water CooperativeServes 50 · Groundwater · PrivateNo health violations+1 monitoring or reporting